The Juno Mission to Jupiter has begun! N.A.S.A. has completed all of the necessary preparations, and the space program is sending a highly-advanced probe to study our solar system’s largest planet. An Atlas V rocket was launched from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Air Force Station this past Friday, carrying the Juno space probe that will proceed toward our solar system’s planetary giant!

The probe will study Jupiter, using the gathered information to understand more about the planet and it’s moons. It is expected that Juno will acquire details that show how the planet was formed, and how it remains in it’s powerful setting. It will arrive at the polar regions of Jupiter, where it will proceed with thirty-three orbits of the planet. During the mission, Juno will collect data about the composition of the large world, travelling beneath it’s immense atmosphere to study the structure of the planet from it’s skies to it’s core.

The Juno probe will use the power of The Sun as it’s energy source. It is laced with three sections that are being called wings, which contain 18,000 solar cells. These cells will be facing in the direction of The Sun continuously, so that energy is collected to power Juno during it’s mission.

Juno is expected to reach Jupiter by 2016. This probe has three sets of solar panels, each measuring thirty feet long and nine feet wide. They contain 18,000 solar cells that will be used to collect needed energy during Juno’s journey. The solar energy will be used to assist with propelling Juno, in addition to computers on the probe that will help it to maximize the level of power gained from The Sun.

Juno will collect details about how Jupiter is formed. This will include gathering information about any water in it’s atmosphere, as well as whether or not it’s gas composition extends all the way to the planet’s core. Additionally, proof will be gathered as to whether or not Jupiter has an internal ocean of liquified metallic hydrogen which is believed to be the energy source of the planet’s intense magnetic field.